Looking to cycle around the Venice Region (Veneto) of Italy?
This is an area I have visited on several occasions, so you have come to the right place.
I decided on a bicycle tour around Venice and in the Veneto Region of Italy, which is the state in Northern Italy surrounding Venice, on a guided cycle tour operated by Explore (based in the UK), which is one of the best ways to explore the region.
The second time I followed this cycle path was on my own, just following the stickers that companies such as Explore and Exodus place for their cycling holidays, where there are turns for riders who are doing their self-guided tours.
Use my helpful guide to visit the best places in the area by bike.
Highlights of Bicycle Touring in the Veneto
Vicenza – a walled city with a historical center and nearby vineyards
Marostica – a medieval castle with a live chess game
Bassano del Grappa – the famous bridge and Grappa tastings
Asolo – a city with a hundred horizons, great views
Treviso – canals
Venice – a historic city known for its canals
Padua – Giotto Frescoes and St Anthony Basilica
Vicenza
Visiting Vicenza
My Italian bicycle tour started in the walled city of Vicenza, located to the west of Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It was Saturday evening, and I strolled down to the pedestrian-friendly medieval center of this walled city to find what seemed like the entire city just walking around, chatting, including children and teenagers. It was very surreal as a few shops were open, but it seemed the entire town was involved in this social gathering.
When visiting Vicenza, you can either use a museum pass or purchase individual tickets. We wandered through the Teatro Olimpico, which included many historic exhibits and the theatre. One plaque commented about Luigi Da Porto (1485-1523), who first wrote the story that inspired William Shakespeare to write Romano and Juliet.
Biglietto Unico Museum Card is valid 7 days from first use and gives access to: Teatro Olimpico (a must-see); Pinacoteca di Palazzo Chiericati; Chiesa di Santa Corona.
Also includes Museo Naturalistico-Archeologico; Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza; Gallerie d’Italia di Palazzo Leoni Montanari; Museo Discesano; Palladio Museum
For lunch, I went into a nearby restaurant where they had something like tasting dishes where we picked a variety of items before heading outside to picnic tables located within the city walls and across from the Teatro Olimpico.
The Palladian Villas Owners Network has a tour to immerse yourself in their Unesco Heritage, with an itinerary to discover at least 7 places of historical interest that Palladio’s brilliance has made so unique. This is the only tour in the city to include the famous villa La Rotonda.
Cycle Touring from Vicenza to Bassano Del Grappa
I went a different route, but some cyclists may choose to go via Cittadella, a medieval walled city founded in the 13th century, where you can walk the walls.
Marositica
My first day in the Veneto Region took me along a very quiet and flat local road with the majestic Dolomites in the distance. My first stop was the walled town of Marositica, established in 1372 and one of the most beautiful towns on our route. I stopped for lunch here to observe the city hall (in the photo above) and the walls on the surrounding hills.
Special Event worth seeing:
Marositica is best known for its live chess game played with costumed characters, including knights in armor and horses played out on the town square (with a chessboard pattern) in September every 2 years, with a story dating from 1454. To be performed September 4, 5, and 11, 12, 2026.
Bassano Del Grappa
I continued our bicycle tour across the flat landscape to nearby Bassano Del Grappa. The town is famous for the Ponte degli Alpini wooden bridge with great views of the nearby Dolomite mountains and Monte Grappa in particular, and is better known for a strong drink known as Grappa.
I actually had trouble walking across the famous bridge because there were hordes of people lining the bridge enjoying a drink of Grappa and chatting. There is also a museum in town, all about Grappa, worth visiting.
The first 39 km had not proven to be too difficult, even using the rental bicycle provided by the tour operator.
Cycling from Bassano del Grappa to Treviso
Asolo
Today I was to be cycling 55 km, with my first hill, and as the skill level and age (the oldest cyclist was age 72) of our group varied, we got spread out a bit. This was the only hill with steep ascents on our cycling holiday.
Asolo is a quaint village located at the top of a hill, which is known as the “city with a hundred horizons.” With this elevation gain, what you really get is spectacular views across the countryside of some great gardens and villas. Even more fun was the super downhill on the other side of town and onto a fairly flat area.
Once down the hill, we joined the other cycling routes that had passed Asolo and continued through picturesque villages.
Insider Tip: If you want to avoid this hill, there are local signed bicycle trails that skirt around the base.
Treviso
There was a paved bicycle path for a long portion of this section, which made cycling easy. Treviso is a walled town founded on and surrounded by water. I walked around this lovely town with all its canals.
Cycling from Treviso to Mestre
Only a short ride today of 38 km and over fairly flat terrain. We started out riding through lanes and quiet streets, leaving Treviso and several small villages.
Our guide had a surprise for us as we stopped at a cheese factory in a small town for a tour of this family business. Outside in the sun was a long table with cheese, salami, and Italian wines, which was a hit with the entire group.
I don’t recommend this route, but instead, it is better to ride on the nearby cycle path from Treviso to Padua, which is outlined below.
I continued to Mestre, which is on the mainland across from Venice. There is a bus service to the train station in Venice, which we all took advantage of to explore this historic town.
Visiting Venice
No bicycle touring in the Veneto Region of Italy would be complete without a visit to the famous Venice.
Of course, you will need plenty of free time to see the major attractions, including San Marco Square, the Campanile Tower, Basilica di San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and nearby islands such as Murano, the island of Glass.
Note: You cannot ride your bicycle in Venice, so a walking tour is in order.
Insider Tip: What is not as well known is that by taking the regular water bus number 82, you can see the entire Grand Canal for a price far less than the famous gondola.
Top attractions in Venice:
1. Grand Canal – take the water bus along the canal, the best value in the city, or Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary
2. Palazzo Ducale – former Doge’s Palace from the time of Venetian Rule, get in line before it opens (what we did) or take a tour to avoid lineups
3. Basilica di San Marco – free entrance but small charge for balcony access
4. San Marco Square (Piazza San Marco) – the city center; there is a cover charge at most of the outdoor cafes
5. Campanile di San Marco – clock tower with a view of San Marco Square and the waterfront
6. Teatro La Fenice – theatre
7. Scuola Grande di San Rocco – with magnificent ceilings
8. San Giorgio Maggiore – take a water bus to the island to visit the bell tower
9. Cannaregio – walk towards the train station to see an area with many small shops, although you can join a guided walking tour of Venice.
10. Murano – a nearby island with outstanding glass shops
I skipped the Four Seasons Concert Ticket at Vivaldi Church, but my friends went and recommended it.
Cycling from Mestre to Chioggia along the Venice Lagoon
I cycled through the streets of Mestre and along a very narrow causeway to Venice and the ferry port.
The ferry ride took us past Venice, with a great opportunity for some pictures. Island hopping along the Lido and across Pellestrina Island was a highlight of the trip. On my second trip, I did it in reverse from Chioggia to Mestre after purchasing the ferry pass.
The Lido and Pellestrina are short island-hops and are the best places to go cycling in Venice.
As far as bicycle touring goes, today was only 25 km as we continued along the Lido section of Venice (you need a ferry pass), hopping from island to island with the Adriatic Sea on our left until we reached the south end of the lagoon and our accommodation in the fishing and beach resort of Chioggia. The day was long only because we had to wait frequently for the ferry.
Chioggia to Padua, Veneto Cycling
Today I will be riding for 59 km over fairly flat terrain. The next stop on my Veneto bike tour was Stra, where many grand villas are located, many of which are open to the public.
Although they are called villas locally, I really consider them to be palaces because of their large size. And our group stopped for one hour to visit the Villa Pisani and its gardens.
Padua is one of the most ancient cities in the Veneto and the seat of one of the oldest universities in the country, which we passed while entering the city.
It is also home to the famous Giotto frescoes at Cappella degli Scrovegni, dating from 1303, today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you enter a sealed room and watch a movie, followed by being locked in the chapel with your guide to view the frescoes. This process is to keep the humidity low.
My walking tour included St. Anthony Basilica and a park with many monuments before our last group dinner. I also went on the hop-on-hop-off tour to see some of the other sights.
Cycling from Treviso to Padua
On a second bicycle tour of the area, I rode directly from Treviso to Padua for about 70 km on a bike path, very flat as it followed a canal for much of the way. These days, it is used by local cyclists who stop at the bicycle cafe where several cycle paths meet.
Skipping Mestre was not important, as it is the industrial part of Venice on the mainland.
Cycling Padua to Vicenza
Today, the last of our daily cycling stages is a 45 km cycle across very flat terrain and wine country. We did have one hill to visit, the Colle di Bugano Winery, where we enjoyed a tour, some wine tasting, cheese, and salami.
The winery drove our wine purchases to our hotel in Vicenza, so we didn’t have to carry them in our panniers. I continued through the wine region back to Vicenza along quiet roads and a bicycle path.
Arrival in Venice
If you are flying into Venice Marco Polo Airport, follow the signs for the water bus to Venice itself. There are several routes, so make sure you get on the correct one. If going to Vicenza, get off near the train station for a quick ride.
Another option, almost as popular, is to reserve a water taxi.
If flying to Verona, you need to make your way to the Verona train station for the journey to Vicenza, which continues to Venice. There is also a cycling route between these cities.
You can also take the city bus from the airport to Mestre Train Station, which connects east to Venice and west to Verona.
FAQs: Bicycle Touring in the Veneto
Can you bike around Venice?
No, you cannot cycle around Venice itself. However, there is a great bike route from Chioggia, crossing the Venice Lagoon to the Lido. You must use the car ferry from the Port of Venice to reach the Lido, not the ferries from San Marco Square.
Where can I park my bicycle in Venice?
At Bici Park, in Piazzale Roma, which is located near the train station. There are 100 places for bicycles, electric bikes, and scooters. Open 24/7 and can be booked online.
Is Veneto the same as Venice?
The Veneto is a region in Italy that includes Venice, the capital. Other important towns include Treviso, Padua, and Vicenza.
Where to Stay during your Veneto Bicycle Touring
Consider using booking.com for a great selection of hotels, or if you prefer a hostel, click on the link.
We stayed at the following hotels. Except for Venice, all have safe parking for bicycles.
Albergo San Raffaele, Vicenza, a former monastery with city view. Park your bicycle in the courtyard. This hotel is used by many of the cycle tour groups.
Hotel Del Ponte, Bassano del Grappa – a modern hotel close to the center of town
Hotel Carleton, Treviso – nice hotel on the edge of the city, close to the bike route.
Hotel Centrale, Mestre – in the center of this city. Used by cycle tour groups.
Hotel Igea, Padova – great location, as you can walk to the center of town. Bike parking in a nearby garage, a block away.
Hotel Le Tegnue, Sottomarina – across the street from the beach and bike path, with great views of the Adriatic. Love their buffet breakfast.
Hotel Serenissima, Venice – great location as just around the corner from San Marco Square
Veneto Map
Looking for more information on cycling in Italy?
If you’re planning a cycling trip to Italy and looking for more information, consider reading some of my other posts:
- The Adige Bike Route goes from Austria all the way to Verona on a paved path
- Cycle touring in Tuscany is always popular
- There are many cycle routes in the area listed on 8 Italian Bike Routes
- Finding accommodation for cyclists in Europe for a better journey
- Other European cycling routes you may wish to check out
- Safety Wing Travel Insurance – protect yourself while on a cycling tour
Final Thoughts: Bicycle Touring in the Veneto Region
I have done this route twice, as I love the variety with the history found in Vicenza and Padua, the local liqueur in Bassano Del Grappa, the adventure of cycling along the string of lagoon islands, and Venice, of course.
Be sure to check out the Italian National Tourist Board for general destination information.
The EuroVelo Route 8 (Mediterranean route) also goes through this area. This bicycle tour in the Veneto Region of Italy is suitable for beginners and families alike, as there are only a few hills and it takes about one week.
